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Ineffective inspections and surveys contributed to fatal explosion on a barge off Texas says report

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An explosion and fire aboard the articulated tug and barge ‘Buster Bouchard’ was the result of a lack of effective maintenance and safety management of the barge by the owner company, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed in its report into the incident.

On 20 October 2017, at 0430 local time, the crews of the articulated tug and barge (ATB) Buster Bouchard/B. No. 255 were preparing to get under way from anchorage to proceed into the Port of Corpus Christi, Texas, when an explosion and subsequent fire occurred on the bow of the barge.

Two barge crew members who were on the bow were killed in the explosion. The fire was extinguished about 1100 on the same day.

Continue reading “Ineffective inspections and surveys contributed to fatal explosion on a barge off Texas says report”

Remote surveying techniques are on the rise

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Remote surveying techniques are becoming increasingly popular. Image courtesy Martek Marine
Remote surveying techniques are becoming increasingly popular. Image courtesy Martek Marine

New technologies such as drones, climbers and robot arms are rapidly entering the marine survey and inspection arena. And, in turn, major classification societies are embracing the so-called Remote Surveying Techniques for their class surveys. If you are looking for the reasons why, it is easy to answer – safer and less intrusive surveys!

Without requiring confined space entry, Remote Surveying Techniques are considerably less expensive than other methods. Likewise, they’re far safer than traditional methods of inspection that involve sending inspectors/surveyors into unsafe conditions. Analytically, the pros of Remote Surveying Techniques in conjunction with class surveys are as follows:
– improve efficiency of inspection techniques
Continue reading “Remote surveying techniques are on the rise”

The long awaited report into the loss of Stellar Daisy is published by the Marshall Islands

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The Maritime Administrator of the Republic of the Marshall Islands has released its long-awaited report for publication on the investigation into the 2017 loss of the Stellar Daisy in the South Atlantic.

The Marshall Islands-flagged Stellar Daisy, a 266,141 DWT very large ore carrier, sank on March 31, 2017, approximately 1,700 nautical miles from Uruguay while underway from Brazil to China with a cargo of iron ore for Vale. Of the 24 crewmembers on board, only two were rescued. The other 22 are missing and presumed deceased.

The wreck of the vessel was only located last February in 3,461 meters of water.

The investigation determined that the likely direct cause of the foundering was a rapid list to port following a catastrophic structural Continue reading “The long awaited report into the loss of Stellar Daisy is published by the Marshall Islands”

First freight only Red Funnel Isle of Wight ferry launched

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Isle of Wight ferry operator, Red Funnel Ferries, has welcomed its first freight ferry with a traditional ship naming ceremony.

Built at Cammel Laird’s in Birkenhead, Red Kestrel, the newest addition to Red Funnel’s fleet, will be the operator’s first dedicated Ro-Ro freight ship since the company’s inception almost 160 years ago.

The additional freight capacity that the vessel will provide will mean that the company’s ro-pax ferries will have more capacity freed up for non-commercial traffic.

The Great British-themed naming ceremony, which celebrated Red Kestrel being built in the UK, took place in Southampton docks by the Ocean Terminal and was witnessed by some 200 invited guests. Karen George, wife of Red Funnel’s Chairman, Kevin George, had the Continue reading “First freight only Red Funnel Isle of Wight ferry launched”

Solent University to open the largest maritime simulation centre in the UK

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Solent University will open what it claims to be the UK’s largest and most sophisticated maritime simulation centre on its main campus in Southampton.

Part of Solent’s overall investment of more than £40 million into maritime education and training, the new ship and port simulation centre will open its doors for business this June 2019.

“As pioneers in the use of simulation for professional development of ship’s personnel since the 1970s, we are proud to remain at the forefront in delivering specialist higher-level training,” says Lars Lippuner, Head of Commercial Operations at the University’s Warsash Continue reading “Solent University to open the largest maritime simulation centre in the UK”

Concerns remain for global marine underwriting says IUMI

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Whilst in general, major losses remain stable, the continued erosion of the global premium base means that attritional losses are becoming much more significant. The increased risk of large, more complex and costly claims has the potential to impact all marine underwriting sectors in 2019.

The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) gave expert opinion on the current state of the hull, cargo and offshore energy insurance markets at its Spring Conference in Hamburg on 7-8 April 2019.

Hull casualties
Although the global fleet continued to grow at around 3% in 2018, the number of total losses (vessels over 500GT) stood at a 20-year low. Continue reading “Concerns remain for global marine underwriting says IUMI”

International Transport Workers Federation stresses shocking spike in confined space fatalities

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The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) has underlined a shocking spike in deaths in confined spaces, as a workplace hazard long familiar to the shipping industry.

Since January 2018, 16 dockers and 12 seafarers have died from asphyxiation or explosions in confined spaces – or from falls after passing out due to bad air.

To put the recent deaths in perspective, there have been a total of 145 in the past 20 years, and alarmingly 28 in the past 16 months.

We know that maritime workers are generally aware of the risks associated with entry into confined spaces, but they may not be aware of the details and extent of the varied dangers posed by forest products, coal, iron ore, grains, gases and other cargo.

Continue reading “International Transport Workers Federation stresses shocking spike in confined space fatalities”

MAIB report on the fatal capsizing of Laura Jane fishing vessel is published

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At 1311 on 7 May 2018, the single-handed fishing vessel Laura Jane capsized off Mount Batten Breakwater in Plymouth trapping its skipper in the wheelhouse.

The vessel remained afloat with a few centimetres of the wheelhouse protruding above the water. Two RNLI lifeboats arrived at the scene within 15 minutes of the capsize and Laura Jane was towed to the nearby Batten Bay beach, arriving at around 1400.

The skipper was extracted from the wheelhouse by two of the RNLI crew who broke a wheelhouse window to get access to him. He was immersed in water, was unconscious and not breathing.

Attempts to resuscitate him by the lifeboat crew and paramedics from the emergency services were unsuccessful.

He was then airlifted to Derriford Hospital, where he Continue reading “MAIB report on the fatal capsizing of Laura Jane fishing vessel is published”

Fire onboard a fishing vessel caused by mechanical failure says NTSB report

Posted on by News Hound
Photo courtesy of Trico Seafood
Photo courtesy of Trico Seafood

NTSB has published its report into the circumstances that led to the fire on board the commercial fishing vessel Ole Betts Sea, on 18 March 2018 in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

The fire burned for 16 hours and the vessel eventually sank about 18 miles northeast of the island of Garden Key, Dry Tortugas, Florida. No pollution or injuries were reported. The ship was a total loss valued at $200,000.

Before getting under way on March 13 for the voyage that was to turn into disaster, the captain performed a pre-departure check of the vessel and its gear.

He also checked the items listed on a post-voyage work-list form, which was submitted to Trico’s shop foreman at the end of the previous 3-week voyage.

He found all in good order, and the Ole Betts Sea departed its Fort Myers Beach berth.

Continue reading “Fire onboard a fishing vessel caused by mechanical failure says NTSB report”

Recontruction of classic 1954 superyacht Istros being undertaken by Feadship

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Istros is due to be relaunched in mid-2020.
Istros is due to be relaunched in mid-2020.

Dutch shipyard Feadship is set to completely rebuild 42-metre (138-foot) classic motoryacht Istros. Built in 1954 by Amsterdam yard De Vries Lentsch and previously regarded as one of the largest superyachts to be built in the Netherlands, the yacht is now undergoing a total refit at Feadship’s facility.

Istros, meaning ‘inspiration’, featured an advanced radar system and on-board telephone, which was a rarity at the time.

H2 Yacht Design and Laurent Giles Naval Architects made a first attempt to restore the yacht in 2013, but the project was rejected due to lack of funding.

Under new ownership, the current rebuild project began last year with the removal of the superstructure and reconditioning of the hull at a shipyard in Malta. The yacht has since arrived back in the Netherlands.

Continue reading “Recontruction of classic 1954 superyacht Istros being undertaken by Feadship”

USCG publishes a safety alert after three confined space fatalities on a MODU

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Seven of the crew onboard were involved in the dewatering operation and this incident. All were experienced mariners, but lacked MODU experience.
Seven of the crew onboard were involved in the dewatering operation and this incident. All were experienced mariners, but lacked MODU experience.

The US Coast Guard (USCG) has issued an important Safety Alert on the dangers of confined space entry following a recent incident where three people were asphyxiated in a confined space on a drilling rig (MODU).

The USCG says that studies show that people often miss the obvious clues while working under enhanced stress and because their focus is on another activity. Several sources indicate that over 50% of those who perish in enclosed and confined spaces accidents do so while trying to assist and rescue their co-workers.

Ten crewmembers were on board the MODU preparing it for a heavy lift transport to an overseas ship breaking facility. They were successful in dewatering three of the MODU’s four legs.

Yet, the de-ballasting system was inoperable in the fourth leg because piping and valves had been previously removed. To continue pumping, the crew rigged a portable diesel engine driven pump to discharge the tanks.

Continue reading “USCG publishes a safety alert after three confined space fatalities on a MODU”

Big four have formed the Digital Container Shipping Association in joint initiative

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Thomas Bagge is appointed CEO and Statutory Director of the recently formed Digital Container Shipping Association
Thomas Bagge is appointed CEO and Statutory Director of the recently formed Digital Container Shipping Association

Four container shipping heavyweights, Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd and Ocean Network Express, have come together to establish the Digital Container Shipping Association on 10 April 2019 in Amsterdam.

The parties said that the aim of the association is to create common information technology standards to make the industry more efficient for both customers and shipping lines.

The plan to create a neutral, non-profit association for ocean carriers was first announced in November 2018. The association, focusing on driving standardization, digitalization and interoperability in container shipping, is now starting operations with a leadership team made up of industry veterans, including Thomas Bagge (pictured) from A.P. Moller – Maersk, who was appointed CEO and Statutory Director of the Digital Container Shipping Association.

Continue reading “Big four have formed the Digital Container Shipping Association in joint initiative”

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